Pajamas: Tell Your Own Story

Cuddle up in your favorite pajamas and embrace telling your own story. Grab your coffee and see how we are trying to teach our toddler to tell his own story.

Recently we have been using the phrase tell your own story when we talk to Declan. He’s really infatuated with what Brendan and I were like when we were growing up and therefore wants to tell our story and make it his own. And as I thought more about this I realized the importance of encouraging Declan to tell his own story.

And actually, not only for my 3 1/2 year-old son but for everybody. It’s about being proud of who you are and what path your life has taken. The good, the bad and the amazing all make up your own story.  So tell it, cherish it and live it.  Everything in my life has made up my story and each day I am working being proud of that.  And each day I remind Declan how important his story is.

Each of us has a story. Each of us has created a story through our lifetime. It’s time that we are proud of our own story. As I remind my son, every day, to tell his own story I am reminded, every day, to tell my own story. Through my teachings with Declan I am also learning #parenting. But at the end of the day each piece of my life, each memory, each laugh, each tear make up my own story.

But as I continue down this journey of blogging it’s so easy to fall into comparison. To try and make my story look like someone else’s or to mimic my story after a fellow friend so I am constantly reminding myself to tell my story. No one story is the same. No one else’s story is my story. It’s important as I strive to raise a well-rounded child that I remember to tell my own story. To lead by example. I want Declan to grow up and be proud of the story that he is creating each day. And I know the best way for Declan to learn is by modeling what I want him to do. So each day I try to be proud of my story.

Recently, we spent some time in Chicago and Michigan – the two places Brendan grew up. And I couldn’t help but feel nostalgic for him, for Declan and interestingly enough for myself. As I watch my son grow, adding to his own story, I am reminded that part of mine and Brendan’s story will become Declans.  How could they not? We spend a lot of time in the mountains, here in Colorado, where I grew up and again part of my story is becoming part of Declans.  Each day we get to create new memories, new learnings and new appreciation for our own story. Embracing the overlap of our stories yet encouraging new organic memories is now at the front of my mind.

My goal is for Declan to look back on his life and be proud of the story he created.  I want him to embrace each chapter, each plot twist and each happy ending.  As he grows I hope he adds new characters, new settings, new story-lines and maybe even allows a guest contributor. As his mother I want to show him that he can tell his own story yet embrace those of others around him.  It doesn’t have to be one or the other.  Within our family out stories will eternally overlap and I am excited for him to learn more and add to his each day.

Photos: Grace Fries Photography 

shop the look: nightgown // socks // declans pajamas 

It is known fact that I love pajamas.  And that I wear matching pajamas.  So it was only a matter of time before I did a post with pajamas. This nightgown (thank you Clare) is a dream come true…. and it adds in dreaming given it is soft, super cute and comfortable.  The fun embroidery detail is my favorite part of the pajamas.  Now, I am probably the only one who thinks about it or cares about it BUT I love the collar and love how cute it looks.  As I tend to get cold easily I paired it with knee high socks to add just a bit of warmth.  Nordstrom has a great selection of nightgown pajamas and there are several on sale right now.

Declan is less fussy about his pajamas but given my obsession I am fairly fussy about his pajamas.  The top two factors in pajamas for Declan are price and design.  There are so many options for pajamas and you could end up spending a small fortune so I tend to stick with ones that are under $20.  Additionally, I pick ones that are a bit funky, fun and typically neutral colored.  He loves to mix and match his bottoms and tops but I love to still have them coordinated… I know.  Old Navy is our go-to for Declans pajamas; they are always on sale and we love some of the patterns/designs.

Below are some of our favorite pajamas and books.  Part of telling your own story is embracing all stories.

tell your story

Preserving the individuality and uniqueness of your own story whether it be for yourself or for your children is becoming more and more important to me. Sometimes I wish I could add to my story and make pieces of other people story my own – kind of like Declan wants to do about Brendan and I. But I am who I am, Declan is who he is and each of us have our own story to tell. How do you help your little ones tell their own story???

With Love,